Other sports stories in brief
Opening bowler high on Simmons's wish list
CRICKET:Ireland coach Phil Simmons is hopeful of signing an opening bowler as an overseas player after naming a 13-man squad for this Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy opener against Nottinghamshire at Castle Avenue (12.0).
Boyd Rankin's commitments with Warwickshire added to the retirement of David Langford-Smith and Trent Johnston's decision to take a break from the international game leaves Ireland short on experienced bowling resources.
Promising under-19 international all-rounder James Hall receives his first senior call-up, while 17-year-old Paul Stirling retains his place after making his Ireland debut against the UAE back in March.
Meanwhile, Ed Joyce's chances of making a return to the England scene were dealt a blow yesterday when the Bray native was left out of the ECB's 26-man Performance Squad for this summer's international programme.
IRELAND SQUAD:W Porterfield (Gloucestershire, captain, Age 23, Caps 41); A Botha (North County 32/79), A Cusack (Clontarf 27/11), P Eaglestone (Strabane 25/0), T Fourie (Railway Union 28/8), J Hall (Waringstown 19/0), G Kidd (Waringstown 22/4), K McCallan (Waringstown 32/177), K O'Brien (Railway Union 24/39), P Stirling (Cliftonville 17/1), R Strydom (North County 30/3), A White (Instonians 27/94), G Wilson (Surrey 22/14).
Unfit Tergat gives Olympics a miss
OLYMPIC GAMES: Kenya's former marathon world record holder Paul Tergat said yesterday he would not compete at the Beijing Olympics due to a lack of fitness.
"I'm not fit enough for the Olympics," Tergat told a news conference, saying it was time for younger runners to shine.
"We senior athletes have to give the youth a chance and you don't do it if you compete against them," said the former five-time world cross country champion, who was an Olympic 10,000 metres silver medallist in 1996 and 2000.
Tergat missed the London marathon for similar fitness concerns. He held the marathon record from 2003 until last September, when it was shattered by Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin.
Tergat said a lack of preparation prevented him from competing. "I only recently completed a military training course and I have not trained well enough for the Olympics," he said in Nairobi.
Power runs into form in Turkey
CYCLING:Ciarán Power had an excellent conclusion to the Presidential Cycling Tour in Turkey, landing two-top eight placings over the weekend.
The Irish National Team rider was fifth on Saturday's 115.8 kilometre stage from Finkie to Antalya, crossing the line in the same time as the day's victor Alessandro Petacchi (Team Milram). David McCann was next best of the Ireland riders, finishing five seconds back in 25th.
Power was then eighth on Sunday's final day of racing behind Ariel Maximiliano Richeze (CSF Group Navigare).
David Garcia Dapena (Karpin Galicia) ran out as the overall winner of the 2.1-ranked event. McCann and Power were 46th and 50th overall.
Cheruiyot is best again
ATHLETICS:Defending champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won his fourth Boston Marathon in six years yesterday, while Ethiopia's Dire Tune took the women's crown in a dramatic finish.
Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan finished the marathon in the US city in two hours, 52 minutes and 50 seconds - fulfilling her ambition of raising some money for the Irish Guide Dogs Association.
Redevelopment at Ravenhiill
RUGBY:Ulster have officially unveiled the details of the first phase of a redevelopment programme for Ravenhill - an ambitious £4.5 (€5.6) million new stand, to be built on the terrace side of the ground.
"It's imperative that we improve the facilities at Ravenhill" said chief executive Michael Reid, "in the past 6-12 months the business of rugby has changed rapidly, and an investment in our facilities is absolutely vital if we are to cement our position and compete."
The entire redevelopment project for Ravenhill comprises four phases, the first two of which received approval from the planning authorities prior to Christmas and work is set to begin in November.
The new stand will be built into the back of the terrace, and it is expected that two-thirds of the existing standing area will be retained. The construction will mark the first major upgrade of Ravenhill in many years.
Kuerten makes early exit in Monaco
TENNIS:Ninth seed Paul-Henri Mathieu was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters on a day of mixed French fortunes at the clay court tournament, losing 6-4 2-6 6-3 in the first round to Serb Janko Tipsarevic.
Gustavo Kuerten, once acknowledged as the king of clay but who will retire after this year's French Open, also suffered a 6-1 6-2 drubbing by Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic.
Young British 14th seed Andy Murray produced a convincing display, however, to see off Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-6 6-4.
Gael Monfils was France's only winner with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
